Blog Posts by EmpowHER

By MC Kelby

According to Donald Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, "More than 61 million Americans volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves. While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits."

In study findings verified by the New Richmond News and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the health benefits of volunteering include the following:

• It benefits your long term health
• It reduces your stress
• It increases your self-worth

A press release issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service acknowledged that "The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research has found a significant connection between volunteering and good health. The report shows that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease."

Along with these health

By Andrew Schorr

Ruth Ashton has a lot to live for. She works at the graduate school at Loyola University in Chicago and is a 46-year-old mother of two with two grandchildren and a third on the way.

Ruth loves to be active and until recently was an avid runner and in good health. Yes, she had kidney stones, but that was no big deal.

And then she needed hernia surgery. Again, no big deal.

As she recovered from the hernia surgery, and was told she could exercise, she found it really hurt to run. Like a lot of us, she went to the sports medicine doctor.

The doctor took an X-ray and something didn't look right on Ruth's hip. So they did an MRI. After further investigation it came back, not at all as a sports injury, but as cancer.

Ruth was shocked. The questions turned to, what type of cancer was it and did it come from somewhere else in her body?

Things got worse. It turned o ut to be lung cancer and it was seen not just on her hip, but also on her spine, in her brain, and in her

By Danielle Serrano

I am always surprised when I see "healthy" people turning to diet soft drinks for thirst, or even as a guilty (and sometimes not-so-guilty) pleasure.

Although there is a lot of conflicting information about the safety of artificial sugars (depending on who funds the research), there have been numerous studies about the safety of that fizzy, calorie-free, artificial drink. Just recently, a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine reported in the New York Times found a possible link between diet soft drinks and cardiovascular disease.

With heart disease being the number one leading cause of death in women today, this research is huge. The harm doesn't stop there.

Heart attack and stroke: That same study found that daily consumption of diet sodas is associated with an increase in stroke, heart attack and even death - serious side effects for a dinner table drink.

In fact, one study reported in Indiana Public Media found that individuals who

By Mamta Singh

Women who are living with HIV or AIDS could find coping becomes easier by adopting a furry pet, if possible. Studies from Case Western Reserve University show that women suffering from chronic illness manage themselves better when they are engaged in social roles. (1)

Pets help these women stay on track with their treatment. Taking care of the pet automatically helps them take care of themselves. Women organize their day in a way that includes taking care of their pet. In doing things like taking their pets for their walks, arranging (buying, serving, cleaning) for their meals. They in turn get the physical activity they should get to keep fit and support their own treatment. It helps them be more aware and in-tune with their own medication, dosage and timings, and keeping the doctor's appointments.

A pet provides them much-needed psychological and emotional support. This is especially important when women with HIV or other chronic illnesses are living alone. Nursing

By Vonnie Kennedy

Need a job and feeling a bit apprehensive about going on an interview? You're not alone. According to the Bureau of labor statistics, unemployment for adult women was at 7.7 percent in February. Many women are out there doing the same thing.

The good news is, you can stand out from the other applicants just by being outstanding. You need to WOW them!

Here's how:

1. Have a clear, concise, WOW resume. An exceptional resume with easy-to-read font and the most important information spelled out first is essential for getting the interview in the first place.

If you can afford it, hire a professional resume service. Their mission is to make you look good no matter what your age or background, so the cost is worth it. Don't have the extra cash? Google do-it-yourself (DIY) resume services. (See below)

2. Dress to WOW. First impressions are vital, so it's important that you capture their attention the moment you walk into the interview. Whether it's a casual or formal